What are marshes

Milorish ecosystems are called marshes with High moisture levels that are mostly inhabited by herbaceous plants that grow on and under the surface of the water. The marshes can be both salt water and fresh water, so they can be formed by seas or rivers; Hence, most of them have brackish water (that mixed by both) and are usually close to the coast. You can discover more information about what a mixed ecosystem is in this other Ecology Verde.

Marshs are very important both at the ecological level (for their rich fauna and flora) and at a human level, since they are used for cultivation. That is why marshes are one of the more ecosystems protected and admired of the world.

Characteristics of the marshes

• They are irregular territories where water from the movement of the sea or the mouth of the rivers is deposited.
• They are an area that is located between the mainland and the sea, as with other ecosystems such as estuaries and teaching.
• Its climate is wet, so it is very conducive to the development of numerous species both plant and animals.
• Marshs are useful places for several types of agricultural and cultivation activities due to their high degree of fertility.
• They usually have very little relief. In fact, they rarely exceed 10 meters and are almost always at sea level.
• Sometimes you can see the water, since it is covered by the vegetation.
• One of the functions of the marshes is to absorb the tides caused by the storms to reduce the risk of floods. In addition, they are also responsible for catching sediments, so they also function as a natural filter against pollution.

Due to the particularity of this type of ecosystems, there are few plant species really prepared to overcome brackish water conditions. Most of these resistant and typical plants of the marshes are called halophyte plants. These come to support salt concentrations of up to 10%, which prevents the growth of other non -native plants.

However, in general we can highlight Four large groups o Marismas vegetation formations: marine meadows, spartinals, succulent communities and shrub Halophile communities. Among them are well -known plants, such as black sabina, lentisco, jara or rosemary. Next, we will see some species more typical of this ecosystem:

• Althaea officinalis l. or common Malvavisco
• APIUM SERIOOLENS L. or common celery
• Aster Tripolium L. or tripolio
• Bolboschoenus maritimus o Marine Cirpus
• Aestuaria Cochlearia or spoons grass
• CORONOPIFOLIA L. or cat nail
• DRIMIA MARITIMA (L.) STARN or albarrana onion
• Hydrocotyle vulgaris L. or water hat
• Juncus maritimus o Maritime Junco
• Lemoniastrum monopetalum or dry verdolaga

Depending on the area where the marshes are located, we will see different types of animals, from mammals to amphibians or invertebrates. The most present animals in these ecosystems, however, are birds. Many migratory species use marshes to nest or replace strength during the trip, so it is common to see different types of birds in these swampy fields. The most common birds Of these ecosystems are:

• Gaviotas
• Common Garza
• Real Garza
• Storks
• Harrier
• Osprey

We can also find different types of invertebrates such as crabs, clams, mussels and snails. On the other hand, the most representative mammals of these areas are mice, rats, rabbits, wild boars, deer, lynx and even mapaches. It is also usual to see fish such as salmon, barbo, sole and aligote.

Besides, it’s not strange to meet cattle; Horses, cows, sheep and goats that feed on the plants of these lands. There are many farmers who use the marshes as a means to raise their cattle naturally, normally in order to obtain better results.

If you want to know more details about the aquatic and land ecosystem: what is and differences, do not hesitate to visit this other article.

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